Tragedy struck north of Yuma last Wednesday morning, September 15, as a young man lost his life in a two-vehicle accident.
A memorial service for Corey Mekelburg, 26, was held this past Tuesday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church. He spent most of his life in the Yuma area, and graduated from Lone Star in 2014.
He was involved in a two-vehicle accident last Wednesday morning at the intersection of Yuma County roads 46 and J. The driver of the other vehicle, lifelong Yuma resident Terry Kuecke, 77, survived.
According to the Colorado State Patrol report the accident occurred at 8:51 a.m.
Kuecke was driving a 1987 Peterbilt semi with a trailer eastbound on Road 46, approaching Road J. Mekelburg was driving a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 northbound on Road J, approaching Road 46. It is an uncontrolled intersection.
The report states that the Peterbilt failed to yield the right of way when proceeding through the intersection. The Dodge hit the semi’s trailer. The Peterbilt continued eastbound and rotated clockwise, rolling one-half time and coming to a rest across Road 46 facing south on its top.
The Dodge Ram rotated clockwise and traveled off the northeast corner of the intersection, and rolled one quarter time. It came to a rest on its left side facing west.
Mekelburg was transported by helicopter to Yuma District Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Kuecke was transported by ambulance to YDH, and eventually was released after being treated for his injuries.
Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, and neither was ejected.
Memorials in Corey’s name will go to the Yuma County 4-H Shooting Sports and Lone Star FFA.
One can find his obituary inside this edition.
